Voting in November
Unbiased journalism seems to be a thing of the past. TV channels prefer sensational sound bites over complete stories. Newspapers print partial stories and conversations out of context. Twitter and facebook posts are frequently posted by surfers who know even less about it than I do! Yet, the news media often sites those posts as their sources. Campaign speeches are designed to ignite emotion and invite debate. Convention speeches are productions for show and shock. It’s frustrating, isn’t it?
These are things I know: 1) This election is not a popularity contest. I don’t have to “like” a candidate in order to vote. They aren’t running for Mr. or Mrs. Congeniality. I need to discover for myself which one is the best leader for our country. 2) Gender has nothing to do with leadership. Leadership is not gender-specific. My vote must be gender-neutral. 3) The President of our Country is not King or Queen. Our President doesn’t “run” the country. Our President “leads” our country and supports the free world. Many people inform the platform which is the plan for governing the country. Who are those people? When voting for our president we are also voting for people we don’t know, and we need to know who will inform and advise each of the candidates. 4) There is only one way I know to make these discoveries. Read the complete platforms. These are documents, not show and tell rhetoric.
Here’s my plan: Beginning this week I will be reading platforms. With an open mind and heart, with prayer and fasting, I will completely read Platform A. Next week, with an open mind and heart, with prayer and fasting, I will completely read Platform B. Next I will read them again, side by side, with a highlighter in my hand and a note pad beside me. I will compare each issue. Finally, I will present my list of questions as to how the platforms directly affect me and my family. I will find the answers in the highlighted words of their text in the platforms. Then I will know who I will vote for to lead my country.
Think about this. If you are frustrated and contemplating not voting, please read the platforms and vote. This is too important. You must be informed and vote your conscience. Challenge yourself.